Surprise! Draw a Seated Figure with Juan Perednik

"I love when I'm surprised with my own drawing," artist Juan Perednik exclaims at the end of this lesson (38 mins).

Working from a reference of a figure perched casually on a stool, Juan demonstrates how to design a drawing rather than simply copy one, starting with bold, structural block-ins and gradually refining toward expressive shadows, volumes, and gesture.

One of the most inspiring parts of this demo is Juan’s approach to composition as a creative choice. As he sketches, he talks about deliberately leaving the clothing completely blank, an unexpected decision that transforms the piece and pushes the viewer’s eye toward the skin tones, tattoos, and sculptural shadow shapes.

He encourages you to make your own design decisions too: darken clothing if you want, exaggerate gestures, simplify shapes, or adjust details like the hair or tattoos. The reference is a guide, not a rulebook.

Throughout the lesson, Juan shares practical principles you can apply to any portrait or figure drawing:

• Block in with straight lines and big shapes.
• Prioritize the head and hands—they anchor the whole figure.
• Find and strengthen the key shadows before adding general tone.
• Blend thoughtfully to avoid flattening your forms.
• Work organized rather than everywhere at once.

By the end, you’ll see how Juan draws a compelling figure from simple marks, subtle value shifts, and a willingness to embrace experimentation.

Ready to surprise yourself? Let's get started!